Cat-Fish

Curiosity catapults a fisherman's cat into the ocean to test out life underwater in this spirited picture book. According to his master's stories, life on the high seas is full of adventure, so Winston the cat takes the plunge to find out if the claims are true. He discovers that cavorting among his favorite food--fish--isn't so easy, and lands himself inside a whale. A flying fish saves the day, and Winston becomes a born-again landlubber. The slapdash action of Newton's text makes for a rollicking read. Even though Jacques Cousteau might express astonishment at spotting a house cat sporting a diving mask, this fantasy has a lighthearted charm. The signature batik-style watercolors by the illustrator of Matepo feature a cool tropical palette of blues, greens, purples and oranges; this luscious underwater world might well lure youngsters to the water's edge and beyond. Ages 4-up. (Oct.)